• Sandy Macdonald's Ye Ancient Highland Malt Liquer Whisky
  • Sandy Macdonald's Ye Ancient Highland Malt Liquer Whisky

Sandy Macdonald's Ye Ancient Highland Malt Liquer Whisky

$2,640 AUD

Containing whisky dating back to 1923, including from distilleries which have long since disappeared, this is a truly phenomenal example of Scotch whisky history.

This is a very rare blend produced under the Sandy Macdonald label by Macdonald Greenlees, using whiskies from only the Glendullan-Glenlivet, Stronachie, Auchinblae and Argyll distilleries. Only Glendullan still exists.

The back label “guarantees” that the whiskies are “pre-war” quality and strength – although the strength is not stated on the label – which suggests it is from the late 1940’s/early 1950’s.

Capacity is 26 ½ ounces – how quaint.

There is a print of a contemporary advertisement with the bottle. Some wear to the label but excellent for its age.

This product is located in the United Kingdom.

Distillery

Sandy Macdonald

Belonging to Macdonald Greenlees, it became one of DCL’s admixed brands whereby Scotch malt whisky (or in one case Irish pot still whiskey) was blended with Canadian grain spirit in order to get round Canadian protectionist measures of the 1930’s. Sandy Macdonald, with 40% malt content, was the best of the bunch.

These brands were not sold in Britain at that time but were aimed at the lower end of the Canadian market. It may also have had a role during Prohibition.

However, as a blend Sandy Macdonald is said to date back to 1840 when it came into existence with the setting up of Alexander and Williams, as whisky merchants in Edinburgh. This eventually became Macdonald, Greenlees and Williams (Distillers) Ltd., subsequently falling to DCL ownership in 1925.  The company remained a significant DCL subsidiary for many years but, along with the brand, has quietly disappeared from the market under current Diageo marketing strategies.

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